Trump's absence let other nations define the work of the conference to their own advantage, further marginalizing the United States. French president Emmanuel Macron all but taunted Trump over his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Change Accords, a major sticking point in the Hamburg talks as well. Theresa May, the British prime minister, spoke of her "dismay" over Trump's decisions. And Vladimir Putin used his press conference to speak for Trump, saying that Trump was "satisfied" by Putin's assurances that Russia did not intervene in the 2016 on Trump's behalf.

Trump has not held a press conference since February 16, 142 days ago.

Why should I care about this?

A president who cannot or will not defend his policies in public is not a strong leader.

Presidents of the United States of America should not let the leaders of hostile foreign powers speak for them.

A president who manages to drive a wedge between the United States and the rest of the world's wealthy and powerful nations is hurting the United States.